Capture of Damascus
The capture of Damascus in late September and early October 1918 marked a decisive turning point in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I. This strategic victory was the culmination of a rapid Allied advance involving a diverse coalition of forces from the United Kingdom, India, Australia, and New Zealand, working alongside Prince Faisal's Arabian Sherifial Force.
The operation was characterized by a high-speed pursuit of the retreating Ottoman and German forces, often described as a "race for Damascus." Through a combination of coordinated cavalry charges, aerial reconnaissance, and strategic encirclement, the Allied forces managed to collapse the remnants of the Ottoman Fourth, Seventh, and Eighth Armies.
Key Facts
- Date: 26 September – 1 October 1918.
- Allied Commanders: General Edmund Allenby, Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel, and Prince Faisal bin Hussein.
- Ottoman/German Commanders: Liman von Sanders and Mustafa Kemal Pasha.
- Prisoners Captured: Approximately 47,000 total since September 19, with 20,000 taken in and around Damascus.
- Outcome: Decisive Allied victory and the occupation of Damascus.
The Allied Pursuit
The 4th Cavalry Division's Advance
The 4th Cavalry Division played a critical role in the push toward the city. Starting from Jisr el Mejamie on September 26, the 10th Cavalry Brigade advanced rapidly toward Irbid and Deraa to establish contact with Prince Feisal's Arab forces. This movement was essential for cutting off Ottoman retreat paths.
The advance was not without logistical challenges. Transporting supplies across difficult terrain, such as the Wadi el Bireh near Jisr el Mejamie, proved grueling; in one instance, it took two days to move 30 lorries, with 14 German vehicles abandoned in the mud.
The Australian Mounted Division and Quneitra
Simultaneously, the Australian Mounted Division pushed north. On September 27, they secured Jisr Benat Yakub and moved toward Deir es Saras. By September 28, they occupied Quneitra, where they captured 24 officers and 421 other ranks. The 4th Light Horse Brigade remained in the town to maintain order and organize communication lines to Damascus.
The cost of these operations was felt in the loss of livestock. Between September 19 and 30, the 4th Light Horse Brigade lost 73 horses, primarily during the action at Samakh.
The Final Encirclement of Damascus
The Action at Sa'sa and Kaukab
As the Allies closed in, aerial reconnaissance spotted retreating Ottoman and German columns south of the city. On September 30, at Kaukab, the 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments executed a mounted charge "with the sword," breaking the Ottoman defenders and capturing 72 prisoners and 12 machine guns.
The Fall of the City
By midnight on September 30, Damascus was effectively encircled. The Australian Mounted Division held El Mezze to the west, the 5th Cavalry Division was at Kaukab, and the 4th Cavalry Division was positioned at Zeraqiye. On October 1, the city surrendered. Nearly 12,000 prisoners were captured before noon, including a massive haul of artillery and machine guns.
On October 2, Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel led the Desert Mounted Corps in a formal march through the city, with units including the Gloucester Yeomanry, Indian Cavalry, and Hodson's Horse participating in the procession.
Post-Capture Challenges and Aftermath
The Kaukab POW Camp
Following the surrender, the Allies faced the immense task of managing approximately 18,000 prisoners of war at the Kaukab camp. The situation was complicated by severe supply shortages and a burgeoning medical crisis.
Disease and Attrition
The victory was tempered by the outbreak of the Spanish flu and malaria. These diseases significantly impacted the effectiveness of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF). For example, Driver Joseph Albert Murphy and Trooper Raymond Talbot Cowan both succumbed to malaria in Damascus in October 1918.
The Push to Aleppo
The momentum did not stop at Damascus. The pursuit continued north, leading to the capture of Aleppo on October 25 by Prince Feisal's Sherifian army, supported by armoured cars and the 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade.
Summary of Campaign Logistics
| Force/Unit | Key Objective/Action | Primary Result |
|---|---|---|
| 4th Cavalry Division | Irbid and Deraa | Cut off Ottoman retreat paths |
| Australian Mounted Division | Quneitra and El Mezze | Secured western flank and occupied Quneitra |
| 5th Cavalry Division | Kaukab and Kiswe | Encircled city from the east |
| Sherifial Army | Deraa and Aleppo | Captured Deraa and later Aleppo |
| Desert Mounted Corps | Damascus City | Captured 47,000 total prisoners |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the primary commanders of the Allied forces?
The campaign was led by General Edmund Allenby, Lieutenant General Sir Harry Chauvel (commanding the Desert Mounted Corps), and Prince Faisal bin Hussein of the Arabian Sherifial Force.
How many prisoners were captured during the fall of Damascus?
Approximately 20,000 sick and disorganized Ottoman troops were taken prisoner in and around Damascus, with nearly 12,000 captured within the city before noon on October 1, 1918.
What role did the Australian Light Horse play?
The Australian Light Horse were instrumental in the advance, specifically in the occupation of Quneitra and the mounted charge at Kaukab, which helped break the Ottoman rearguard.
What medical issues affected the troops after the victory?
The Allied forces suffered significantly from malaria and the Spanish flu, which caused numerous deaths and reduced the overall operational effectiveness of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
What happened after Damascus was captured?
The Allied forces continued their pursuit north, eventually capturing Aleppo on October 25, 1918, with the support of the Sherifian army and the 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade.